Help for Single Mothers in UTAH

Utah, UT

Being the sole breadwinner, the responsibility for providing for their children often takes a toll on most single mothers. The state of Utah offers a wide range of programs tailored to help these families in times of need.
$498
$740
$850
$712
205%
138%
85%
15%

Utah Family Employment Program #

Utah's Family Employment Program (FEP) is the TANF funded cash assistance program in Utah. The purpose is to offer unemployed and underemployed families, opportunities to increase their income through employment and cash support.

The FEP is designed to serve both single-parent and two-parent families with children under 18 living with them, as well as pregnant women in their third trimester who meet income guidelines.

The law requires all FEP recipients to participate in employment related activities, usually at least 30 hours a week or 20 hours per week if the parent has a child under age 6.


How do I apply for cash assistance in Utah?

First you need to download a copy of the TANF eligibility form and submit it to the nearest DWS employment center. A face-to-face interview will then be scheduled to screen your eligibility.



Utah Food Stamp Program #

Utah Food Stamp Program (SNAP) serves as the first line of defense against hunger for Utah residents. It provides monthly benefits to eligible families to buy an adequate supply of nutritious food through an EBT card known as the Utah Horizon Card.

Anyone may apply for food stamp benefits but the program is designed to help those who need food assistance most — low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities.


How do I apply for food stamps in Utah?

You can apply for SNAP online or in person at any of the employment center near you. If you are eligible, you will be able to access your SNAP benefits no later than 30 days.



Utah Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) #

Utah has long had some of the least accessible child care in the country and it’s becoming prohibitively expensive for many families.

In light of this, Utah's Child Care Assistance Program helps parents offset the cost of child care. Specific income limits and work requirements must be met.

The amount of potential subsidy, paid directly to providers, is determined based upon the age of the child and the type of provider.


What is the income limit for child care assistance in Utah?

Families with income not exceeding 85% of the state median income level are eligible as long as they are employed or enrolled in a training program. That's about $5,573 a month for a family of three.


How do I apply for child care assistance in Utah?

Families can apply for child care assistance online at Utah's myCase. Once approved for Child Care, the payment is sent directly to the selected provider.

Eligibility Services Division
866-435-7414



Utah Kids In Care #

Unemployed parents may be eligible for enrollment in the Kids in Care program. The program offers child care assistance for eligible parents while they look for a new job.

This program is provided by Office of Child Care and is available to residents of any county in Utah. If you would like more information on the Kids in Care program, please call

Children’s Service Society of Utah
801-326-4399



Utah Medicaid #

Utah Medicaid offers free health care coverage for Utah low-income residents who meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

This mostly includes children under age 18, pregnant women, disabled adults, seniors as well as women with breast or cervical cancer.


What is the income limit for Medicaid in Utah?

As Utah has fully expanded Medicaid coverage in 2020, parents with incomes up to 138% of poverty are now eligible for Medicaid. That's about $34,310 for a family of three.

Coverage is also available for pregnant women and children age 0-5 in families with income up to 144% of poverty level.

Utah Medicaid 144% 138% 144% 138%
1 $21,000 $20,120 $21,000 $20,120
2 $28,400 $27,210 $28,400 $27,210
3 $35,800 $34,310 $35,800 $34,310
4 $43,200 $41,400 $43,200 $41,400
5 $50,600 $48,490 $50,600 $48,490
6 $58,000 $55,590 $58,000 $55,590
7 $65,400 $62,680 $65,400 $62,680
8 $72,810 $69,770 $72,810 $69,770

A 5% disregard based on the federal poverty level (FPL) for the household size is applied and is reflected in the amounts shown above.

The state’s Medicaid expansion includes a work requirement that requires applicants to complete 48 job searches in the first 90 days of their Medicaid eligibility, but it was suspended in April 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.


How do I apply for Medicaid in Utah?

For your convenience, you may now apply for Medicaid and CHIP online at jobs.utah.gov/mycase or in person at any Department of Workforce Services (DWS) office near you.

For answers to your questions on how to apply, please call the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) at the numbers listed below.

  • Salt Lake County (801) 526-0950
  • Toll-free (866) 435-7414



Utah Children’s Health Insurance Program #

Utah CHIP is a state health insurance plan for uninsured children from birth through age 18 who do not qualify for Medicaid. Once approved, CHIP covers well-child exams, immunizations, dental care, hearing and eye exams, and more.

Most people on CHIP are required to pay premiums and co-pays every quarter and in Utah, cost-sharing is limited to 5% of the family’s annual income.

Depending on your income, you may pay up to $75 per family for each quarter. American Indians do not have to pay premiums or co-pays for services.


What is the income limit for CHIP in Utah?

CHIP is available to the children in families with incomes up to at least 205% of the poverty level. That's about $50,960 for a family of three to qualify.

  • Family Size Income Limit
  • 1 $29,890
  • 2 $40,430
  • 3 $50,960
  • 4 $61,500
  • 5 $72,040
  • 6 $82,570
  • 7 $93,110
  • 8 $103,650

A 5% disregard based on the federal poverty level (FPL) for the household size is applied and is reflected in the amounts shown above.

How do I apply for CHIP in Utah?

CHIP is now accepting applications year-round via jobs.utah.gov/mycase You may also contact your eligibility office by calling 1-866-435-7414.



Utah Housing Choice Voucher Program #

The Housing Authority of Utah County provides vouchers to Utah’s low-income families to help them afford decent and safe housing. Priority is given to extremely low-income families with children.

In general, families and individuals with income levels in excess of the 50% of the area median income as established by HUD do not qualify for Section 8 rental subsidy.

The Housing Authority of Utah County, Income Limits for Section 8 Programs.

HAUC
240 East Center Street
Provo, Utah 84606
(801) 373-8333

The Housing Authority of Utah County assists with rent in Utah County, outside of Provo. For assistance within the city of Provo, contact the Provo City Housing Authority at (801) 852-7080.



Utah Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) Program #

The H.E.A.T. program is Utah’s version of the federal LIHEAP program that provides winter utility assistance to low-income households in Utah.

Applications are normally accepted from November 1 through September 30 of each year. Eligible households may receive a one-time credit of up to $850.

Priority is given to those who are truly vulnerable — the lowest-income households with the highest heating costs, the disabled, elderly, and families with preschool-age children.


How do I get HEAT assistance in Utah?

HEAT provides year-round heating and cooling assistance. To apply for HEAT Assistance, please call (866) 205-4357.

If you are in danger of shut-off, you may contact your local HEAT office for crisis assistance.



Utah Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) #

Utah LIHWAP, closely models LIHEAP, provides one-time payments to help qualified households pay their residential water and wastewater past due utility bills.

LIHWAP provides relief assistance to three priority groups:

  1. Households that have been shut off due to arrearages/fees
  2. Households that have been issued a shut off notice (or property lien for unpaid water bill) and are in danger of losing their water
  3. Households that need assistance paying their current water bill

Households that qualify for LIHWAP could reduce their water or wastewater charges, or both if their bills include both services, by up to $2,000.


How do I get help paying my water bill in Utah?

If you are in danger of falling behind on your water bills and need help, you may apply online or by phone at 1-866-205-4357.



Utah Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) #

Utah Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps low-income individuals and families reduce energy costs in their homes. Benefits are provided in the form of noncash grants to households to make home energy efficiency improvements.

Eligibility is set at 200% of the poverty level but priority is given to the elderly and disabled, as well as families with preschool-age children, high-energy consumption, and emergency situations.

  • Family Size Income Limit
  • 1 $2,430
  • 2 $3,287
  • 3 $4,143
  • 4 $5,000
  • 5 $5,857
  • 6 $6,713
  • 7 $7,570
  • 8 $8,427

How do I apply for WAP in Utah?

To apply for weatherization assistance, you must submit your application to the agency that services the county in which you reside. Your application will then be prioritized and put on a waiting list.



Utah Unemployment Insurance #

Utah Unemployment Insurance provides jobless compensation to eligible unemployed workers through no fault of their own that meet Utah’s eligibility requirements.

It is intended to pay temporary benefits to eligible claimants during times of unemployment when suitable work is not available.

To qualify for benefits, you must have earned at least $3300 in the first four of the last five calendar quarters and make at least 4 job new job contacts each week that you file a claim for benefits.

If you are eligible for benefits, the number of weeks of regular benefits you may receive will range from 10 to 26 weeks, depending on your earnings.


What is the maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Utah?

People who are eligible for unemployment benefit in Utah will receive a weekly payment amount between $28 and $712.


How do I file for unemployment in Utah?

Claims for UI benefits will be expedited if you file online or if you decide to file by phone, you can call the numbers listed below.

  • Salt Lake County (801) 526-4400
  • Utah County (801) 375-4067
  • Weber and North Davis Counties (801) 612-0877



Higher Education Success Stipend Program (HESSP) #

HESSP (formerly UCOPE) is Utah’s supplemental grant and work-study assistance award available to Utah resident students with demonstrated financial need as evidenced by the award of Federal Pell Grants.

The total amount of any HESSP grant and/or work-study awards to an eligible student in an award year vary from a minimum of $300 to a maximum of $5,000 depending on the availability of funds.

However, not all schools participates in HESSP program so you need to check with your school’s financial aid office if the grant is available.



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